News Release

Visitor Information Center in Van Buren moving to the newly reopened Big Spring Entrance Station

Big Spring Entrance Station welcomes visitors to Ozark National Scenic Riverways on Highway 103 south of Van Buren.

NPS

News Release Date: May 5, 2023

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814

VAN BUREN, Mo. - The visitor information center previously located in the lobby of the Park Headquarters building in Van Buren will move to the newly reopened historic Entrance Station at Big Spring on May 8.  

Last year, renovations were completed on the Big Spring Entrance Station. The original Missouri State Parks once used this historic building, continuing into early ownership under the National Park Service. Now, we are returning to our heritage by designating this building as our visitor center on the lower Current River! This beautiful Entrance Station is adorned with Civilian Conservation Corps artifacts and history, telling the story of the young men who made this place a favored destination today.

This move will allow interpretive rangers more opportunity to interact with park visitors in the Big Spring area. As the largest spring in the park and in Missouri, Big Spring is heavily visited year-round. The area features three picnic pavilions, a campground, river access with boat ramp, and the historic Big Spring Dining Lodge and Cabins. With Big Spring Dining Lodge and Cabins re-opening in 2024 following extensive restoration, visitor traffic to the area is expected to increase.

Though the visitor information center is moving to Big Spring, official park business, appointments, and meetings will still take place at the Park Headquarters building in Van Buren.

The Big Spring Entrance Station is located on Highway 103, about 3 miles south of Van Buren. The Entrance Station will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and Monday through Friday for the remainder of the year.  

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236.

nps.gov/ozar  

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.